Spain-Morocco: Amnesty denounces migrants’ conditions in Ceuta, Melilla: Amnesty International raises concern over the violation of migrant rights in Spain and the Kingdom of Morocco, urging the two countries to respect the international law. According to the human rights organization, migrants mostly from Africa and Syria are subjected to police abuses, instant expulsion and inhumane reception conditions. (North Africa Post – 01/12/2016)

UNHCR urges governments: People fleeing war to be considered as refugees: UNHCR issues new guidelines on dealing with people fleeing their country because of war, a move aimed at reinforcing the global refugee protection regime. “The idea that one has to be singled out and individually targeted to be a refugee is a myth,” said UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Protection Volker Türk. (ReliefWeb – 02/12/2016)

Combating human traffickers - facts and questions: In this article, the author reviews recent attempts by authorities in Europe to combat human traffickers and argues that these efforts will be counterproductive as long as legal and safe access routes remain closed. (DW – 06/12/2016)

The EU’s migration policy in Africa: five ways forward: In view of the migrant crisis in Europe, the authors of this article suggest five ways through which the EU can address the situation. These include supporting increased intra-Africa mobility, processing asylum requests in third countries, allowing circular migration to Europe, voluntary rather than forced returns and promoting the use of remittances for development in origin countries. (ECRF – 08/12/2016)

For managing migration, Australia is no model for Europe: In view of rising support for populist political parties in Europe, the author of this article argues that the Australian approach of keeping migrants out cannot be adopted in Europe to control the influx of migrants noting that the approach is costly, temporary and violates the rights of migrants and asylum seekers. (Human Rights Watch – 29/12/2016)

Mali sends back migrants deported by France: Malian government sends back two people who were deported from France on the same planes they arrived on noting that it could not accept people “simply assumed to be Malian.” In addition, the government criticized the use of European “Laissez-passez” travel permits used to expel the two individuals noting that this was against international conventions. (BBC – 30/12/2016)

Europe

Immigration to UK hit record levels prior to Brexit vote, data shows: According to this article, immigration to Britain reached its highest ever level in the run up to the EU referendum with an estimated 650,000 arriving in the country. This resulted in the net migration reaching a near-record high of 335,000 in the 12 months to the end of June 2016. (The Guardian – 01/12/2016)

UNHCR calls for new vision in Europe’s approach to refugees: In a paper presented to the European Union, the head of the UN Refugee Agency, Filipo Grandi calls for a far-reaching reform of Europe’s global engagement with refugees, including the European asylum system, noting that Europe in 2015 “failed to implement a collective, managed response to the challenges posed by the arrival of over a million refugees.” (UNHCR – 05/12/2016)

Austria to fine or jail migrants who lie to authorities: Austrian cabinet agree on a draft law that will allow authorities to punish asylum seekers who lie about their identities, a move aimed partly at dissuading migrants from attempting to settle in the country. (Reuters – 06/12/2016)

The EU-Turkey refugee deal only succeeded in one thing: This article reviews the situation of migrants and asylum seekers stuck in some of Greek’s Islands such as Chios and argues that the EU-Turkey migrant deal has not effectively addressed the plight of the migrants. In addition, the authors argue that that the deal has effectively swept under the carpet, the humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in the islands. (New Statesman – 08/12/2016)

Somali migrant smuggling network in Europe dismantled: A joint operation by security forces from France, the Netherlands and Europol’s European Migrant Smuggling Centre uncover a migrant smuggling network suspected of aiding some 500 migrants from Somalia to different destination countries in Europe. Nine individuals believed to be of Somali nationality were detained. (EUROJUST – 09/12/2016)

EU, Mali reach deal on repatriation of denied asylum applicants: The European Union signs a deal with the Malian government to facilitate the return of migrants who have reached Europe but subsequently had their asylum requests rejected by EU. Mali will also receive a financial package of more than 145 million euros to address the root causes of migration and crackdown on people smugglers. (DW – 12/12/2016)

EU: Restore rights values to migration policy: In this statement, Human Rights Watch calls on European Union leaders to “signal a change in course and affirm strong human rights principles in EU asylum policy and foreign relations.” The agency has consistently urged EU to adhere to human rights in its response to the migration crisis. (Human Rights Watch – 13/12/2016)

EU: Asylum-seekers must be moved from appalling conditions on islands: Amnesty International joins other human rights organisations calling on EU Heads of State and Government to commit to concrete action to save lives and restore dignity of migrants and asylum seekers arriving in Europe. The agency proposes a six-step solution to address the migration crisis. (Amnesty International – 13/12/2016)

Tunisian Captain in Deadly Migrant Shipwreck Jailed for 18 Years: A Tunisian captain who was piloting a fishing vessel that collided with another ship resulting in the death of an estimated 700 migrants crossing from Libya to Italy in April 2015, is sentenced to 18 years in prison by a court in Catania, Sicily. (The New York Times – 13/12/2016)

Austrian proposal for an Australian migration solution: In a media interview, Austria’s foreign minister Sebastian Kurz, calls on European Union to adopt the “Australian model” to stop migrants and asylum seekers from reaching European soil. “Our approach must be to protect the external borders and to tell whoever tries to come to Europe illegally, ‘You won’t get through’,” he said. (POLITICO – 14/12/2016)

EU report: Cooperation with Niger, Mali has not yet curbed arrivals: According to a report released by European Commission, cooperation with five Africa countries (Mali, Nigeria, Niger, Senegal and Ethiopia) has helped limit migrant movements in West Africa but not yet reduced migrant arrivals along European shores. The report noted that nearly 60,000 migrants from the five countries had entered Europe in 2016 against a backdrop of 2,700 migrants from the five countries who had been sent back from EU in the same period. (Europe Online – 14/12/2016)

EU supports Horn of Africa: Targeting instability and migration: European Union adopts new programs worth 170 million euros to address the root causes of instability, irregular migration and forced displacement in the Horn of Africa. The package will complement 24 previously adopted actions approved between December 2015 and October 2016 for the region worth 436 million euros. (EU Bulletin – 19/12/2016)

European border agency Frontex warns Isis is weaponising refugees: Frontex, the European border and coastguard agency, cautions that ISIS terror groups may be trying to manipulate refugees into carrying out terrorist attacks in Europe. The agency further cautioned that terror groups may also try to sneak in trained fighters among the migrants and asylum seekers entering Europe. (The Independent – 27/12/2016)

Egypt refers two officials to court for migrant boat capsizing: Egyptian authorities refer two maritime inspection officials to trial for their role in the capsizing of a migrant ship off Egypt’s northern coast in September in which more than 200 people drowned and another 169 rescued. (Newsweek – 03/12/2016)

In Cairo, Ethiopia's Oromos lose hope with UN refugee agency: In this article, Ethiopian migrants, mostly Oromos, in Egypt criticize UNHCR for “routinely rejecting their asylum claims” noting that the agency has been hostile to their allegations of discrimination, persecution and even torture by the government of Ethiopia. (Thomson Reuters Foundation – 06/12/2016)

Egypt says organ trafficking racket busted, dozens arrested: Egyptian authorities announce they have uncovered an international criminal network operating in the country that is involved in smuggling of human parts. An estimated 45 people were arrested and millions of dollars seized. (DW – 06/12/2016)

Egypt: Immigration law lacks key protections: Human Rights Watch expresses concern over Egypt’s first law addressing irregular migration noting that it is a positive step towards protecting migrant rights but fails to additional fundamental rights. These include guarantees for the rights to seek asylum or freedom of movement and education. Furthermore, the new law does not guarantee protection against refoulement. (Human Rights Watch – 15/12/2016)

Ethiopia

Ethiopian migrants stranded in Mozambique return home with IOM: IOM facilitates the repatriation of 34 Ethiopian migrants stranded in Mozambique en route to South Africa. The migrants, all males and aged between 21 and 39 years, including three children aged between 15 and 17 years, reportedly paid around USD 3,500 to smugglers. (IOM Press – 23/12/2016)

Libya

EU: Libya's cities making $346M a year from people smuggling: According to a report submitted to EU by a military taskforce, Libya’s coastal cities are making an estimated revenue of up to $292 to $346 million annually from migrant smuggling. However, the report does not provide further details on how the figures were calculated. (Associated Press – 01/12/2016)

Migrants in Libya facing "human rights crisis" - U.N. report: According to a report released by UN, migrants and asylum seekers in Libya are suffering consistent and widespread abuse at the hands of armed groups who have reportedly taken effective control of official detention centres for migrants. (Thomson Reuters Foundation – 13/12/2016)

Libya deports dozens of illegal African migrants: In cooperation with Libyan authorities, IOM facilitates the repatriation of 157 African migrants mostly from Mali who were stranded in Libya after a failed attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Italy. (Africa News – 30/12/2016)

Sudan

Sudanese migrants stuck between Libya and Egypt: According to this article, an estimated 2,000 Sudanese nationals are reportedly stuck at the Libya-Egyptian border crossing of Musaed in dire humanitarian situation since they do not have formal documents to enable them leave Libya. (ReliefWeb – 13/12/2016)

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